The door didn’t move at all when I leaned my full weight against the center panel.

The lock held firm, anchored deep in the wall framing of the house.

Before I put my gear away, I went down the basement stairs to the foundation wall.

I moved the empty cardboard boxes away from the concrete corner and lifted the loose wooden floorboard.

I opened the fireproof safe and took out Grandfather Arthur’s silver watch box.

I lifted the watch out of its velvet lining and turned the winding stem three slow times until the steady ticking echoed off the tin lid.

I set the watch box next to the original 2012 trust deed, shut the heavy safe door, and fit the wooden floorboard back into its groove.